dublet

2 minutes ago, steve2006 said:

Is this the same gearbox ?

That's a manual, not an automatic.

Slightly higher mileage? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255035503307

Doesn't specify mileage and looks a bit rusty but cheap: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265002387882

If buying tyres, make sure they're not Australian spec, they'll only work upside down.

Recent Merc or Lexus? That's no competition. 😄

Look out for the Lexus Hybrid Health check.

I've only recently purchased my RC 300h F-Sport after having been researching the IS 300h for a while. The trim levels are confusing to say the least. If you want a particular feature, check and double check that it actually comes with it.

They're fairly hot property due to the attractive low VED and the lack of new cars being sold, so it'll be less about getting a good deal than about gettting a good one. You have to bear in mind that these cars will probably depreciate a lot less than a BMW, so bear that in mind.

A quick browse through AutoTrader:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108126142640  has quite a lot of paint issues - are you prepared to deal with that? But you can use that to drive the price down IMO.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028613858  is from a private seller and has been on sale for a while. Fairly local to me unsure about condition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065937587  seemingly okay in South Wales, but the photos aren't good enough to judge. Slightly over your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108045830647  can be bought for crypto currency and you get Swarovski crystals in your number plate

All I can say is, have a look at some, drive them and always buy on condition.

You bought a car to tow a caravan without researching whether the car you purchased would be good for towing?

In the zoomed out thumbnail, it looks like the radio says "CRY HELP", so perhaps your radio is in distress when you turn the mirror heating on.

1 hour ago, Las Palmas said:

So does among other companies VW with their timing belts, but the funny thing is that there is no mentioning of when the belt was produced on neither the rubber band nor the packaging so this is a strange thing to take care of as nobody will be able to know how long the belt has been laying in stock.

Helmets for mountain and moto bikes should also be replaced after a more or less specified time, but some companies say that it only is due to exposure of UV light the helmets will no longer be as good as new.

Could be the same with regard to tyres.

Yes, this is one of the things that the AA article linked points out, amongst others. UV degrades rubber and plastic too. If you happen to park in a particularly sunny spot, it could degrade one, or more, of the tyres.

Don't forget tyres should be replaced not just due to wear/mileage but probably after a certain time as well. Michelin and others recommend replacing after 10 years regardless of wear, but thorough inspection after 5 years for any signs of old age.

I do believe only GS hybrids have the CVT. Which in effect means only the GS450h.

And if you look very closely , you will notice another subtle hint, in that Goodyear put "Asymmetric" in the name. 🙃

I could only find a mention of symmetry/direction on this page: https://www.tireshot.com/all-tire-brands.php?brand=Yokohama

It suggests the E70 series is:

Quote

Tread: Symmetrical   Directional?: No

It's good advice though to double check the sidewall for any directional arrows before you go and swap.

It's more like long term rental. You don't own the car, for better and worse. If it breaks - it's not your car. If it becomes worthless - it's not your car. You pay your monthly money, and that's it.

6 minutes ago, steve2006 said:

A Nissan Leaf and it’s driver were recently arrested by the police, the driver was let off with a caution but the car was charged. 😀

He wasn't done for Battery?

2 hours ago, LenT said:

Except, possibly, a customer under the delusion that they are an expert?

I didn't realise this forum was frequented by the current Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office!

32 minutes ago, Phil xxkr said:

My figures are based on 2021 numbers which by and large show Shells  huge losses are broadly equivalent to Costco huge profits. Now before I get off my horse and drink my milk as a negotiator who do you think has the best hand? 💪

2021 isn't finished according to my calendar here on Earth. Perhaps not the same on your planet. Furthermore, you just switched from turnover/revenue to P&L, for some reason, which are not the same. While this is false equivalence and therefore merely an informal fallacy, it certainly does sour your milk and serves to render your argument invalid.

With this sort of expert negotiation on display you'd best be on guard, lest you suddenly find yourself appointed a UK trade envoy.

4 minutes ago, Phil xxkr said:

The tradegy Dublet is where there was once the "professional sales person that role has now slowly been split into two. Firstly, into the order taker who offers no real expertise, guidance or personal interaction, thus that role is being subsumed by technology. Secondly, here the word has changed from salesman to consultant. Now the advice you got for free previously from the professional salesman is now being charged for at a rate of up to £1200 a day /hour. So who's the real loser here I wonder? 

My paternal grandad was a professional salesman. One of his tall tales was that he once sold an electric meat slicer to a butcher. Remarkable as this butcher was in a town that wasn't hooked up to the national electrical grid yet.

10 minutes ago, Phil xxkr said:

I don't work for Costco btw but they have such a huge buying power, consider this, their turnover is greater than Shell, so it's no surprise that they can negotiate much lower prices with no sacrifice in quality not only in fuel but across the board, you should try it sometime. 

Turnover in 2020: Costco 160 billion USD, Royal Shell 180 billion USD. So close, but no cigar. Also, Shell would actually be drilling for oil, running refineries and distributing it. Whereas Costco sells lots of things aside from fuel.

1 minute ago, dutchie01 said:

What did you do with your previous car as this will be the main block for people not to buy a car on the internet?

In this particular case I sold it to Schofield, though most of these services will do part exchange.

Dealerships are a relic of the past. I purchased my RC through an online service. Car was delivered in a time slot to suit me, had a certain number of days to see whether I liked it (what dealers might call an extended test drive) and generally otherwise no pressure.

Nothing is more tedious than a sales person:

The TPMS sensors are in the valves. I do believe they're unique per corner. If you want to avoid separating the tyres from the rims, you can reprogramme the TPMS with a phone app and a ODB2 dongle:

Supposedly all hybrids are targetted more often, with the Prius (due to how many there are) and SUVs like the Lexus RX most targetted.

If it is a particular concern to you, you could have a device like a CatLoc fitted. They don't do a kit for the IS300h, but you can get a universal CatLoc and presumably a competent mechanic could fit one. A CatClamp is an alternative.

HOWEVER, a fly in the ointment. The IS300h has the cat in the engine bay. Thieves don't know this, and will cut out something that isn't a cat. Still leaving you with a damaged vehicle.

More discussion is here:

23 hours ago, Michael Walsh said:

i hope to get it on Friday

Is it Friday yet?

Given this is the Lexus OC, a CT200h comes in at about £6k ish?

6 minutes ago, PRT68 said:

Will never go to Milton Keynes again

Generally good life advice.